7 reasons why Meribel should be your top ski choice

Jan 04, 2021

Meribel – one of the world’s most famous ski resorts. With easy access to some of the best slopes on the globe, traditional architecture and friendly village atmosphere, there is so much to love!

Here at Ski Blanc, we can’t believe you’re not already convinced, but if not, here are 7 reasons you should be looking to visit Meribel!

• Meribel lies in the heart of the 3 Valleys, technically 4 valleys if you add in Orelle! And has superb access to over 600km of interconnected runs. It’s an easy hop into the neighbouring Courchevel and Bellevedere valleys giving you access to a huge ski area.One of the latest additions, is the Saulire Express gondola to the Courchevel side, which can whisk up to 2,400 people an hour to the Saulire peak at 2,700m, in just 12 minutes! Some interesting travel trivia, for those staying in Meribel you can access the Courchevel peaks quicker than those staying in Couchevel itself!

• Due to the large amount of South-west facing slopes Meribel is one of the sunniest resorts in Europe, for that most important goggle tan! You can enjoy sunny terrace lunches and awesome apres ski dancing on tables in the sunshine.

• It takes a lot of work to keep one of the world’s largest ski areas running and luckily here in Meribel we have the machinery to make sure that happens. The Three Valleys’ boasts 80 piste bashers to keep the pistes groomed to perfection. It is also a renowned snowsure resort but we do have 2000 snow cannons to produce artificial snow and keep all the slopes well topped up if the weather isn’t playing nicely.

• The stunning resort of Meribel with its picturesque appeal attracts many British visitors each year, making up 37% of the total. Meribel boasts a fascinating history that started with Scotsman Peter Lindsay in 1936. Unhappy with the political atmosphere in Austria and Germany Lindsay set out to develop a suitable resort in France and discovered the spot Meribel Centre, which sits just above the original village of Les Allues. Within two years the first chairlift was built but due to the war the project was put on hold for 6 years. During that time the area was occupied by the Germans and was a stronghold for the French resistance. Who doesn’t enjoy a little history with their ski holiday!?

• For a purpose-built resort Meribel ‘lucked out’ upon creation with strict building regulations meaning it is much prettier than other such resorts. The name Méribel is actually said to derive from the Latin work ‘mirare’ meaning to look and ‘bel’ meaning beautiful. Instrumental in the creation of Meribel Centre, Peter Lindsay instigated strict rules that any buildings had to be created in local materials such as slate, wood and stone and be built with double-pitched roofs – giving us that recognisable ‘chocolate-box’ style everyone knows and loves today.

• The après scene in Meribel is something other resorts can really be jealous of. Quality local musicians play all around the resort thanks to piste productions and this means there is live music all day every day. Great venues such as the Rond Point, Jacks Bar and Lodge du Village mean that you can enjoy apres ski in the sun on their large sunny terraces. In fact, Meribel has always boasted a swinging party scene, in the 1950’s Bridgette Bardot owned chalets here and headed to the local nightclub, Shangri-La which is now O’Sullivans nightclub.

• Getting high in Meribel isn’t a problem – over 85% of the resort is over 1800m above sea level meaning snow is assured and makes for ideal conditions, the 2000 snow cannons in the area don’t hurt either.

BIO

Operating from their office in the heart of Meribel les Allues, Ski Blanc are firmly established as one of the leading local chalet companies, with over 27 years of experience.

Their 6 hand-picked chalets are all well positioned near to the Olympe ski lift, with easy access to some of the best skiing in the world. All with hot tubs and roaring log fires.

They offer a perfect combination of home comfort with that dash of indulgence so deserved after a day on the slopes.